MAPS Chat An occasional newsletter of the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program Number 14 – March 2014

K. Tranqillo with Blue-crowned Lories ChestnutMagnolia-backed Chickadee Warbler by by Don A. NightingaleFreiday Cerulean Warbler by Laurie Doss Molt and Age Codes: a New Paradigm in an entirely new place, such as American Samoa, Danielle Kaschube where we don't even know when and for how much of the year each species breeds, determining molt Sometimes the best way to ensure a deeper strategies and coding for age can be quite the knowledge of a topic is to look at it in a different challenge. I typically start by gleaning as much way. This MAPS Chat gives us a chance to look at information as possible from the literature (always molt, and how we age , using a new ageing meager) on molt strategies of target species, check as scheme. Peter Pyle shares his experience with many specimens as possible to develop a tentative birds captured in the Tropical MAPS program Age-Sex Manual, and then ground-truth the (TMAPS) in American Samoa and uses these information in the manual during the first years of species to introduce us to this ageing system. banding. The ground-truthing process usually takes at This new coding system will not be implement- least two years before we have the molt strategy ed into the regular MAPS program but we sug- clarified sufficiently to enable confident ageing and gest you try using it on some of the birds you then analyses of demographics. catch this MAPS season. It will help solidify your In tropical and Southern Hemisphere regions, both of knowledge of molts and ageing. Click here to read which apply to American Samoa, another challenge is the original research paper. ● to determine how we will designate age categories. Birds in such regions can, and typically do, breed over Applying "WRP" Molt and Age Codes January 1st, so the calendar-based system that we are at TMAPS Stations: A Case Study familiar with in the MAPS program does not work. A few years ago colleagues Jared Wolfe, Brandt Ryder, Based on American Samoan and I devised a new system to handle age-coding in Landbirds these tropical regions. This is now referred to as the Peter Pyle Also in this issue: I always enjoy it when we start an IBP bird- banding project in some new corner of the world. Welcome New MAPS operators 5 In order to collect data on adult survivorship and Bird Banding Classes 6 productivity, two vital-rate mainstays of MAPS, we have to confidently age the birds we capture. MAPS Bander Profile: Rocky Point Bird Observatory 6 Determining age and sex in turn depends on Resources for Banders: AMGO and applying WRP 8 knowing molt strategies. When we start a project codes

The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org March 2014 Page 1 WRP system (Wolfe et al. 2010), and was later modified slightly by Johnson et al (2011). I like this system because it keys off of molt and plumage states irrespective of time of year, thus forcing banders to understand molt strategies to apply the codes. The system is broad enough that it can be tailored to provide a smaller subset of codes for each species, or group of species following the same molt strategy. We were able to devise a modified WRP age-coding system specific to the American Samoan TMAPS project. The WRP system categorizes birds by first-cycle and later-cycle molt and plumage states. The codes we use in Samoa are listed in the table below. The system also has codes for species with alternate plumages, and for species with distinct third and Figure 1. Collared Kingfishers (Todiramphus chloris) fourth-year plumages. But we found no evidence for A) Adult male with bright aqua-blue back and fresh basic such plumages in Samoan landbirds, so our modified blue and dusky flight feathers; B) first-year female with WRP coding (below) does not include these codes. dark green back; C) first-year male showing worn brown In order to apply WRP age codes to a species, the and blue primaries and characteristic white-fringed juve- molt strategy of the species first needs to be nal secondary coverts. Collared Kingfisher appears to determined, in particular whether or not the lack a preformative molt and has a complete prebasic preformative molt is or can be absent, partial, or molt, so WRP codes for these birds would be A) DCB, complete, and whether or not prebasic molts can be B) FCJ, and C) FCJ. incomplete. Depending on molt strategy, the number of possible WRP codes for a given species can be one of four categories according to molt strategy, the reduced. Then, once acceptable codes are WRP-coding followed quite naturally and easily. determined for a species, we use the same coding for One of our Samoan species, Collared Kingfisher (Fig. all captures of the species, which makes it easier to 1), appears to lack a preformative molt and typically later interpret the coding data for age and to perform has a complete prebasic molt. Thus the acceptable demographic analyses. And, yes, we have modified WRP codes and order by plumage state and age is, our verification programs to catch unacceptable WRP simply: FCJ-SPB-DCB-DPB. UPB can also be codes for each species! Although this may all seem assigned to molting birds in which the bander is daunting at first, once we fit our Samoan landbirds to unsure if it is undergoing the second prebasic molt or WRP codes used in the American Samoan TMAPS Program along with age, molt, and plumage coding on the MAPS banding sheet that typically accompany each code.

WRP Plumage or Molt Stage Typical Corresponding MAPS Codes FCJ First Cycle Juvenal Plumage Age=2, BM=0, FM=N, JP=3 FPF First Cycle undergoing Preformative Molt Age=2, BM>0 or FM=S, JP=0-2 FCF First Cycle Formative Plumage Age=2 or 5, BM=0, FM=N, JP=0 FAJ Unknown Plumage after Juvenal Age=1, BM=0, FM=N UPB Prebasic Molt unknown if Second Cycle or not Age=1, FM=S SPB Second Cycle undergoing 2nd Prebasic Molt Age=5, FM=S SCB Second Basic Plumage Age=5, BM=0, FM=N DCB Definitive Basic Plumage Age=6 or 1, FM=N DPB Definitive Cycle undergoing Prebasic Molt Age=6, FM=S SAB Basic Plumage or Molt after Second Cycle Age=7 or 8, FM=S or N UPU Molting; unknown if Prefomative or Prebasic Age=0, FM=S UCU Unknown plumage Age=0, FM=N, BM=0

The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org March 2014 Page 2 a later molt. This is the correct code to use when a FAJ code would be applied to a Common Bushtit or bird is almost finished with molt, say, growing p10 and Wrentit in fall that has undergone the complete s6 and with no older feathers left to assist with preformative molt and skull ossification, and must be determining age. And, of course, UCU is an coded with age = 0. Plumage-wise, at least we know it acceptable code for all species at any time, the had undergone a complete molt, as opposed to UCU, equivalent of Age=0 in MAPS, perhaps for a bird that escaped prior to being fully processed. We don't like to see too many UCU's in the data (apropos, "UKU" is Samoan for "hair louse"). Seven of our species, Blue-crowned Lory (Fig. 2), White-rumped Swiftlet (Fig. 3), Samoan Shrikebill (Fig. 4), Wattled Honeyeater (Fig. 5), Cardinal Honeyeater (Fig. 6), Polynesian (Fig. 7), and (Fig. 7) typically have partial or incomplete preformative molts and complete prebasic molts. The acceptable WRP codes and order by plumage state and age for these is: FCJ-FPF-FCF- SPB-DCB-DPB. As in the kingfisher, both UPB and UCU are also acceptable, as is UPU for a molting bird of unknown age; e.g., undergoing either a Figure 3. White-rumped Swiftlet (Aerodramus spodio- preformative or a prebasic molt. We also don't want to pygia). Swifts are uncommonly captured by MAPS oper- mince many UPU's in the data ("UPU" is Samoan for ators but in American Samoa the species is regularly "word"). captured. There already more captures of this species in Four of our species, the migrant Long-tailed Cuckoo American Samoa than there are in the entire 20-year and the introduced Red-vented Bulbul, Common MAPS data set. Swifts have partial preformative molts Myna, and Jungle Myna have complete preformative and the complete prebasic molts and the broad primaries and prebasic molts. The acceptable WRP codes and and evidence of a "molt cline" in the remiges indicate this order for these is: FCJ-FPF-FAJ-DCB-DPB. Note the to be an adult (DCB).

Figure 2. Blue-crowned Lory (Vini australis) captured Figure 4. Samoan Shrikebill (Clytorhynchus [vitiensis] on Ta'u Island. A & C) IBP Biologist Keegan Tranqillo powelli) captured for banding on Ta'u Island. A- B) An holds his first capture of this species; B) wing of a first- adult showing broad and glossy rectrices; C- D) one- cycle bird showing browner and pointed juvenal prima- year-old undergoing its second prebasic molt and show- ries; D) wing of an adul bird showing darker, browner, ing worn juvenal outer primaries and rectrices. The bird and more-notched basic primaries. This species has a of A-B receives WRP code DCB and that of C-D code partial preformative molt that includes body feathers and SPB. Samoan Shrikebill is part of the widespread Pacific the prebasic molt is complete, so B) was coded FCF Fiji Shrikebill (C. vitiensis) complex but may become and D) was coded DCB. split into a Samoan endemic species.

The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org March 2014 Page 3 in Samoa and elsewhere at tropical latitudes. A bird can be coded relative to molt and plumage state, which can then be bracketed more narrowly to age within a calendar year than the annual MAPS age codes. The one drawback to the WRP system as compared with the MAPS system is that, because molts and plumages of tropical species can be so protracted in timing, birds given the same WRP code can be many months (up to a year) apart in age. For example, a 2- month-old, early-hatched FCF bird that has just finished the preformative molt (HY in MAPS) may occur at the same time as a 11-month old, later- hatched FCF bird that has not begun the second prebasic molt yet (SY in MAPS). To overcome this Figure 5. Wattled Honeyeater (Foulehaio carunculata). problem we have continued to assign MAPS age A) Bird in definitive basic plumage; B) wing of adult codes as best as possible, but we apply these codes showing uniform glossy basic feathers; C) wing of a depending on whether we think the bird is more or molting one-year-old showing brown and pointed outer less than six months old, using wear of the outer primaries. WRP codes for these are A) DCB, B) DCB, primaries as our primary gauge. In the above and C) SPB. Wattled Honeyeater is our most commonly example, the 2-month old FCF would get age code 2 caught species, with about 600 captures so far during (HY) and the 11-month old FCF would get age code 5 the two-year project. (SY), and these birds are treated differently in demographic analyses involving age. for which we don't even know this much. For these species UPB is not acceptable but UPU may be a bit There is no reason why the WRP system can't also be more informative than for other categories, indicating applied to North American landbirds caught at MAPS for instance a bird growing the last feathers during a stations. The four broad molt and plumage categories complete preformative or prebasic molt. listed above might apply to, for instance, Sharp- shinned Hawk, Swainson's Thrush, Wrentit, and Finally, four Samoan Columbiformes, Friendly Ground -Dove, Purple-capped Fruit-Dove (Fig. 8), Many- colored Fruit-Dove, and Pacific Pigeon, can have protracted and incomplete preformative and prebasic molts. For these species, the full range of acceptable WRP codes are, in order of appearance, FCJ-FPF- FCF-SPB-SCB-DPB-DCB-SAB, with identifiable plumages depending on what mixture of juvenal, formative, and basic feathers (often secondaries) are present. The SAB code would be equivalent to an ATY woodpecker, indicating a mixture of retained and replaced basic feathers. In this case we decided not to designate TCB (Third Basic Plumage or TY in woodpeckers) as acceptable, because we have so far encountered no doves with all three of juvenal, formative, and basic feathers present, enabling such a designation. Figure 6. Cardinal Honeyeater (Myzomela cardinalis). The use of these WRP codes not only overcomes the A) Adult male; B) mostly-juvenal plumaged bird molting calendar-year problem associated with MAPS codes, in red head feathers; C) formative-plumaged birds show- but it gives us additional information on molt and ing retained juvenal inner primary coverts. This species plumage state, and it leads to more refined undergoes an interesting incomplete preformative molt information on the age of the bird than our current age including most or all primaries, secondaries, and rectri- -coding in MAPS. In this regard, the WRP system is ces, but retaining at least some juvenal inner primary particularly advantageous in species with prolonged coverts. We code these birds A) DCB, B) FPF, and C) or year-round breeding, as occurs to varying extents FCF.

The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org March 2014 Page 4 Figure 7. Polynesian ( tabuensis) and Samoan Figure 8. Purple-capped Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus (A. atrifusca) . A) Adult Polynesian Starling on porphyraceus). A-C) Adult male (A&C) and female (B) Tutuila (those on Ta'u lack streaks to the underparts); B) showing colorful plumage and basic wing feathers in- adult male Samoan Starling; C) first-cycle Polynesian cluding deeply notched outer primary and two genera- Starling showing molt limits, with most nedian coverts tions of basic secondaries; D) juvenile showing entirely and one inner greater covert replaced (Samoan Starling green head and yellow fringing to juvenal secondary shows similar limits after the preformative molt). These coverts. Birds in A-C receive WRP code SAB (due to are coded: A-B) DCB and C) FCF. mixed generations of basic secondaries) and the bird in Downy Woodpecker, and a single additional category D receives WRP code FCJ. would be needed to incorporate prealternate molts understand specific molt strategies to apply the and alternate plumages (e.g., for Yellow Warbler). codes, always a very good thing when it comes to The WRP system gives us more information on molt ageing banded birds. ● and plumage state, although this information can generally be inferred from other MAPS codes (Table Literature Cited on page 2). Best of all, however, use of the WRP Johnson, E. I., J. D. Wolfe, T. B. Ryder, and P. Pyle. system will help MAPS banders to think about and 2011. Modifications to a molt-based ageing system proposed by Wolfe et al. (2010). Journal of Field Ornithology 82:421-423. “Like” The Institute for Bird Wolfe, J.D., T.B. Ryder, and P. Pyle. 2010. Using molt Populations on Facebook today! cycles to categorize age in tropical birds: An Enjoy news and interesting stories integrative system. Journal of Field Ornithology from IBP on a regular basis. 81:186-194.

New MAPS Operators Join the Flock — Welcome! The following operators joined the MAPS Program during 2013 or early in 2014. Most are beginning operations at a new station but others have inherited a previously operated station. We look forward to including them as part of the MAPS banding community for many years to come. A warm welcome! Donnie Claunch Casper, WY ● Dan Cox Frankfort, Fergus Nicoll Fitzroy Harbour, ON ● Michelene KY ● Albert Dalziel Love, SK ● Rene Hanson O'Connor Milwaukee, WI ● Glenn Reed Richmond Casper, WY ● Craig Hensley Spring Branch, TX ● Hill, ON ● Amélie Roberto-Charron Edmonton, AB Mary Holleback Newburg, WI ● Timothy Kita ● Scott Rush Mississippi State, MS ● Susan Nazareth, PA ● Kevin Krasnow JACKSON, WY ● Smith-Pagano Rochester, NY ● Beth Theisen Jo Anna Lutmerding Upper Marlboro, MD ● Sarah Lima, OH ● Gwen Tietz Lethbridge, AB ● Jennifer E. Mabey Hiram, OH ● Carl Martin Emmaus, PA ● Wilcox Trabuco Canyon, CA ● Theresa McKenzie Richmond Hill, ON ●

The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org March 2014 Page 5 MAPS Operator Profile: As MAPS operators, you spend numerous hours in the field collecting data, then entering and verifying it, before passing it on to us at IBP. Through short notes, phone calls and your data, we get to know you over the years but often you don’t get to know one another. We wanted to devote some space and make some connections between all of you who are so important to us and the program. In this MAPS Chat we introduce a Canadian bird observatory and some of their people and projects. Rocky Point Bird Observatory Ann Nightingale, Co-president & MAPS Bander Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of Rocky Point Bird Observatory’s RPBO (RPBO) fall migration program, and its 11th year participating in the MAPS program. In 2003, board member Paul time RPBO volunteer and licensed bander assumed Levesque introduced us to this position three years ago. The MAPS project has MAPS, and we opened been very popular with volunteers and in 2012, Jo two sites, one at Rocky Motek took on the responsibility of administrative coordination. The program has provided training Point and the second on Ann Nightingale the campus of Royal opportunities for hundreds of participants, from Roads University. The two sites were similar in many tweens to retirees, many of whom have continued to ways, but differed considerably in the amount of support our other projects. We generally have more disturbance. The Rocky Point site was on remote volunteers on hand on military land with very limited access; the campus site MAPS days than on was open to the public (and their dogs), and was migration days because we quite close to a residential area. As expected, we need to return the birds to found the more remote site yielded more captures their capture sites. The new and greater diversity, although some species, such helpers are especially as Red-breasted Sapsucker and Bewick’s Wren, happy to get to release the were more populous on campus. birds. An average day at one of our sites yields about RPBO is a member of the Canadian Migration 30 birds, which may not Monitoring Network and our work is primarily done by seem like a lot, but with the volunteers, although there have been a few years in extra data required over and which we have raised enough funds to pay for the Rick Shortinghuis above what we collect MAPS bander-in-charge. Rick Schortinghuis, long- IBP Bird Banding Classes Each year IBP teaches several bander training IBP instructors are still available for 2014 if you classes for both beginning and advanced banders. would like to host a class at your facility. See our There are two courses currently scheduled for 2014. training web page for more information.

Summer 2014 Two banding classes will be held at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in northeastern Minnesota this summer. The advanced class will be held June 16 - 20, 2014 and the beginner will be held June 22 - 29, 2014. Please contact the class host, Peter Harris or check out the banding class page at Wolf Ridge for more information about the classes and information on how to register.

The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org March 2014 Page 6 during migration, can seem quite busy! Needless to crowned Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, White- say, the 80-bird days really keep us on our toes. crowned Sparrow, and Wilson’s Warbler. We’ve also turned up our share of rarities to this area, including One of the biggest challenges of conducting research the region’s second ever Chestnut-sided Warbler, on someone else’s land is that researchers rarely and fourth ever Black and White Warbler. control access or use of the property. As a result, we’ve dealt with habitat changes (i.e. the removal of One of the aspects of MAPS that inspires our field invasive species), problematic access crew is the chance of recapturing restrictions, vandalism, and inevitably, “our” birds. Of the approximately the need to changes sites. After five 5000 birds we’ve banded in this years of MAPS, our Royal Roads program, more than 600 have been University site was discontinued, and recaptured, and many have been two years later, we were denied access from previous years. However, our to the military land during the MAPS most spectacular encounter wasn’t season. We were grateful to Capital physically recaptured at all! Local Regional District Parks for permission photographers have been trying to Red-winged Blackbird @ RPBO to conduct MAPS at a park near to the capture band numbers with their Rocky Point location, and three years very long lenses, and in December ago, added Madrona Farm, a heritage organic 2013, Cathy O’Connor was able to confirm a agricultural property to our sites. Unfortunately, we resighting of a Red-winged Blackbird more than nine may not be able to continue at the farm in 2014. As years after it was banded only a few kilometers we look for a new MAPS site, we will be especially away. mindful of the potential of the site for long-term In addition to fall migration monitoring and MAPS, monitoring. On the bright side, these too-frequent RPBO also conducts Northern Saw-whet Owl changes have helped us hone our habitat structure banding on Vancouver Island in the fall, and is a assessment skills! partner in a nestbox program in Oregon in the spring. Species most frequently encountered during MAPS We have an extensive hummingbird banding project on southern Vancouver Island include, Chestnut- throughout British Columbia, with collaborators backed Chickadee, American Robin, Song Sparrow, beyond our provincial borders, and in 2013 began a Bewick’s Wren, Rufous Hummingbird, Orange- geolocator project studying wintering Fox Sparrows.●

The Importance of Mentoring Volunteers It didn't take long to realize how much I lacked in skill and knowledge compared to others working at Jo Motek the station and I began to have doubts that I be- RPBO’s MAPS Coordinator and Board Member longed there. Ann took us both under her “wing”, When I began as a helping to build confidence as extractors and, more volunteer with RPBO importantly, openly sharing all aspects of the pro- in 2010, I didn't know gram and processes, so we began to get a sense a Wilson's Warbler of the big picture and to feel a part of the continuum from a Fox Sparrow. and future of the organization. Inspired by Ann to I did know that I do more, my husband took on updating the website wanted to spend my and joined the RPBO board. And in 2012 when the retirement outdoors call went out for a MAPS coordinator, I gladly vol- as much as possible, unteered for the role. Now that I'm no longer the Jo Motek and looked for oppor- greenhorn, I make it a priority to share my skill and tunities to participate knowledge with the newer volunteers and to make in Citizen Science. My husband worked with Ann them feel welcome and valued. Nightingale, and she invited us both to visit the Fall I've learned while working with RPBO as an inexpe- Migration site at Rocky Point. I was awestruck by the rienced volunteer that it's easy to become discour- diversity and numbers of birds that were gathered aged while you're learning the ropes, and that a there, and impressed that they had been studied at mentor can mean the difference between giving up this site for almost twenty years. After that very first and becoming a committed member of the organi- day we were hooked, and felt very privileged to have zation. ● an opportunity to participate.

The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org March 2014 Page 7 WRP Codes Used for American Goldfinch Along with Molt Limits and Plumage Fields: MAPS Age Code.

Applying WRP Codes to a North Corresponding WRP Plumage or Molt Stage American Example AGE Code Danielle Kaschube, MAPS Coordinator FCJ First Cycle, Juvenal plumage Age=2 FPF First cycle, undergoing PreFormative molt Age=2 (or 5) I have a love/hate relationship with American Goldfinches (AMGO). They are cheery little birds that FCF First Cycle, Formative plumage Age=2 or 5 I enjoy having at the feeders in my backyard for most of the year. However, I always feel a small wave of FPA First cycle, undergoing PreAlternate molt Age=5 dread when I see one in the net or one come out of a FCA First Cycle, Alternate plumage Age=5 bird bag. When I age a bird I like to have an unambiguous age I can explain, but AMGOs are very DPB Definitive cycle undergoing PreBasic molt Age=5 or 1 subtle and unambiguous ageing is rare. I hope the hints below will help make ageing AMGOs a little DCB Definitive Cycle Basic plumage Age=1 or 6 easier. Definitive cycle, undergoing PreAlternate DPA Age=6 I also wanted to take this opportunity to apply the molt WRP codes on a species of North American migrant DCA Definitive Cycle, Alternate plumage Age=6 or 1 that many of us capture in our nets. ●

Female AMGO WRP=FCA

Female AMGO WRP=DCA

Click on image to link to larger PDF image A couple of hints for ageing: 1) The carpal covert, if retained, on HY and SY birds is usually buff tipped. After the second prebasic molt this covert is usually untipped (or sometimes white tipped). 2) The contrast between replaced and retained secondary and/or primary coverts can be very subtle. Look carefully and in good light. 3) The shape and amount of white on the rectrices is very helpful. Other sites with AMGO photos and hints: Powdermill Nature Reserve’s: “In hand Ageing and Sexing Techniques: Molt Pattern Shortcuts and Summaries” Power- Point presentation. McGill Bird Observatory Photo Library: great photos and ageing hints for many species

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